Clear Mulch Research Articles

The Effect of Various Kinds of Mulch on the Growth and Production of Chili Plants

This study aims to determine the effect of mulching on the growth and production of chili plants. This study used a randomized block design, with 6 treatments and 4 replications. One treatment 4 sample plants. The treatments used are as follows: M0: Without using mulch; M1= Using reed mulch; M2 = Using rice straw mulch; M3 = Use silver black plastic mulch; M4 = Using clear plastic mulch; M5 = Use clear mulch covered with newspaper. The variables observed were plant height, number of secondary branches, fruit weight per plant, dry plant weight and production per hectare. Based on the results of the research that has been carried out, it was concluded that: black silver plastic mulch treatment gave the best effect on the growth and production of chili plants, such as plant height, number of secondary branches, fruit weight of each plant, dry weight of plant trunks, and production per hectare. Meanwhile, the production of red chilies per hectare produced by silver black plastic mulch has a higher capacity of 8.02 tons/ha and the lowest yield is 3.01 tons/ha of clear plastic mulch.

Diferentes níveis de irrigação e adubação e cobertura morta na produção e qualidade de morango

ABSTRACT The strawberry (Fragaria spp.), one of the most important berry fruit, is cultivated in many regions of Turkey. Considering its agricultural importance, the objective of this study was to determine the interactions of three important factors affecting the yield of strawberries. Measurements of the physical and quality properties of strawberry were carried out in the laboratories of Bursa Uludağ University. In the research, four different irrigation topics, three different fertigation and three different mulching topics (without mulch (M0), with PE black mulch material (M1), with PE transparent mulch matterial (M2) were selected. Drip irrigation method was preferred in order to apply water amounts at different irrigation and fertigation levels. In our study, the highest and lowest irrigation water amounts in both trial years were found to be 380-95 mm and 420-105 mm, respectively, while the highest and lowest actual evapotranspiration values were calculated as 440-220 mm and 465-280 mm, respectively. The maximum and minimum yield values of the study years were calculated as 5.05-18.70 t ha-1 and 1.20-8.7 t ha-1, respectively, from I100F100M1 and I25F50M0 treatments. However, when the reductions in yield and quality losses are evaluated together, despite the reductions in irrigation water and fertigation levels, I75 and F75 topics can be recommended. Also, in mulching treatments, black mulch material (M1) should be chosen over clear mulch material (M1) and no mulch (M0).

Weed Management by In Situ Cover Crops and Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation in Plasticulture

Weeds negatively affect organic vegetable crop growth and profitability. Weed management is the greatest challenge for vegetable organic growers since control options are limited for organic vegetable production. Anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD) is a novel non-chemical pest management technique that creates anoxic conditions in the topsoil layer for a limited time. ASD is primarily based on the addition of labile carbon sources to topsoil to promote anaerobic conditions driven by microorganisms in moist soil mulched with polyethylene film (polyfim). Field studies were conducted in the summer–fall of 2020 and 2021 to determine the efficacy of warm season cover crops used as carbon sources for ASD and their role in weed management. The study used a factorial experimental design with four cover crop residue treatments (sorghum-sudangrass, sunn hemp, both, or none) in two soil aeration conditions (aerated or non-aerated). Cover crops were grown for 75 days, incorporated into the soil, and sealed with totally impermeable film (TIF) clear mulch, followed by a 4-week ASD process. All incorporated cover crop treatments in non-aerated conditions generated moderate to higher anaerobic conditions (0–150 mV) and provided significantly higher (p < 0.05) weed control than all the other treatments tested or controls. Tomato plants transplanted in non-aerated, cover crops incorporated plots were more vigorous and produced higher yields than aerated plots. No phytotoxicity was observed on tomato plants following ASD treatment in any of the treatments tested. This study demonstrated that warm season cover crops could potentially serve as a carbon source for ASD in organic tomato production.

Agronomic performance of polyethylene and biodegradable plastic film mulches in a maize cropping system in a humid continental climate

Plastic polyethylene mulch has been widely used in crop production, but also causes environmental pollution if plastic residues accumulate in soil. Biodegradable plastic mulches (BDM) are a potential solution to problems caused by polyethylene mulches, as BDMs are designed be tilled into the soil after the growing season and then biodegrade. However, the agronomic performance of BDMs still needs to be tested for comparison to polyethylene mulch. We carried out a two-year field experiment in 2018 and 2019 in a typical humid continental climate in Northeast China. Maize was planted in a ridge-furrow pattern, with mulching treatments consisting of no mulch (control), clear BDM, black BDM, clear polyethylene, and black polyethylene. Clear mulches increased soil temperature when compared to no mulch control treatments, while black mulches decreased or did not change soil temperature during the early growing season. Soil temperature and root morphology were similar between BDM and polyethylene mulches for a given type of plastic color. Maize yield did not differ across all the treatments. Maize protein, fat, N and P contents were generally higher for black BDM than other treatments, suggesting that maize quality benefited especially from black BDM. Overall, these results show that, in a humid continental climate, the agronomic performance of clear and black BDMs was equivalent to, or better than, that of polyethylene plastic mulches for maize production.

EFFECT OF TOPPING, HUMIC ACID, MULCHING COLOR AND THEIR INTERACTIONS ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND SEED YIELD OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

This study was carried out during 2016 growing season at the vegetative research farm of the College of Agriculture, Duhok University, Kurdistan region on okra plants, to study the effect of topping (after 4 leaves and 7 leaves), three levels of humic acid (0, 20 and 40 m.l-1) and four mulching color (without mulch, black mulch, clear mulch and blue mulch) on okra (Clemson). The results showed that topping after 7 leaves significantly increased branch numbers, leaf area and dry pod . Humic acid at 40 m.l-1 significantly increased leaf area, dry pod and seed weight, while humic acid at concentration 20 m.l-1 increased number of seeds. Mulching significantly enhanced all studied traits. The interactions between topping after 7 leaves and 20 m.l-1 humic acid significantly increased brunch number, leaf area and seed number. The dual interaction between a topping after 7 leaves and clear mulch significantly enhanced brunch numbers, leaf area and dry pod. And the interactions between humic acid and mulching significantly increased most characteristics. The interactions between topping, humic acid and mulching caused positive significant differences in all vegetative and seed characteristics.

Mechanism of Sunlight Damage on Drip Tape by Pendant Droplets in Mulched Drip Irrigation

Abstract. Drip irrigation under mulch has been applied in China for nearly 20 years, but sunlight damage from the lens effect through droplets beneath clear plastic mulch is always a problem that cannot be ignored. Droplet volume and mulch wettability affect the geometric parameters of the pendant droplets. Changes in geometric parameters were experimentally investigated by analyzing side-view images of droplets. Models were built to predict droplet focal length and light-gathering power based on the geometric parameters. A comparison between numerical and optical experimental results suggested that the focal length model was accurate and reliable. The effective incident area of the parallel light proposed in this study could also be used to represent the light-gathering power, which had a relationship with the drip tape burning rate. The increase in wettability of the clear mulch considerably increased the focal length of the pendant droplets, expanded the focal length range, enhanced the light-gathering power, and thus increased the risk of drip tape burning. In practice, pendant droplets with a wetting radius of 3 to 5 mm, with corresponding focal lengths of 5 to 12 mm, have a high probability of emergence. Therefore, the distance between the mulch and drip tape should be beyond this focal length range to reduce the risk of drip tape burning by pendant droplets. In addition, filming the mulch surface with hydrophobic materials to increase the contact angles of droplets can also protect the drip tape from sunlight damage. Keywords: Drip irrigation under mulch, Drip tape burning, Effective incident area of parallel light, Focal length, Pendant droplet.

Ambient climate and soil effects on the headspace under clear mulch film

Clear degradable mulch film (CDMF), when installed over a newly sown crop, fundamentally alters the growing environment through the entrapment of heat and CO2, the attenuation of incident solar radiation and, the capture and return of evapotranspiration losses back to the soil. These changes can be harnessed by farmers in a variety of ways to increase crop production through, for example, earlier sowing and more rapid crop establishment, reduced frost risk, geographical expansion of a crop into new areas otherwise unsuited to that crop, and soil water conservation in low rainfall areas. Conversely, when used at the wrong time of year, the temperatures under the film can reach levels that result in plant heat stress. This paper reports on an investigation conducted in southeast Tasmania into how key headspace climate variables (daily maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, total daily radiation and atmospheric CO2 concentration) under CDMF respond to changing ambient climatic conditions and underlying soil characteristics. The film fundamentally altered the growing environment with incident solar radiation reduced by up to 34%, daily maximum temperatures reaching a peak of ~60°C, daily minimum temperatures up to 20°C above ambient levels in summer and, atmospheric CO2 concentrations up to 100 times ambient levels. The magnitude of these responses was all sensitive to soil type. Simple models were derived for predicting daily headspace solar radiation, maximum temperature and minimum temperature from readily available ambient data. These models can be used to identify site-specific, operational limits for film application and, when integrated into farm system models, enable the prediction of wider production and environmental impacts under film.

Soil Solarization in High Tunnels in the Semiarid Southwestern United States

High tunnels are unheated structures covered with polyethylene (PE) glazing to protect high-value crops from adverse weather. The objective of this study was to raise soil temperatures to determine the efficacy of soil solarization using clear mulch on the soil surface and glazing or no glazing on a high tunnel during the hottest months of the year in the semiarid southwestern United States. Solarization trials were conducted in May and June 2013 in two high tunnels in southern Arizona. Highest soil temperatures were reached with the combination of a high tunnel covered with glazing and the soil covered with PE mulch. Average daily soil temperatures were 48 and 47 °C and average degree hours (DH) per day (base temperature 45 °C) were over 14 at soil depths of 5 and 15 cm. The average daily maximum soil temperature at 5- and 15-cm depth was 63.4 and 52 °C, respectively. The second highest soil temperatures were reached when the soil was covered with PE mulch without high tunnel glazing, which resulted per day in 5.2 DH above 45 °C at 5 cm and less than one DH at 15-cm depth. Glazing on the high tunnel without covering the soil surface raised soil temperatures only at the 5-cm depth above 45 °C, but not further down. High tunnel producers in the low desert areas in the southwestern United States can complete solarization in less than 1 week, depending on the organism to be controlled, when the soil is fallow during the summer months with glazing on the high tunnel and on the soil surface.

Correlation Between the Amount of Soluble Substance and Vitamin C in ten Varieties of Strawberries Under the Influence of Mulch and Fertilizer

The consumers and food processing industries prefer the organic food items,because they also ensure health safety. Many synthetic and organic types of mulch have been used in the raised bed culture system. Plants grown on black plastic mulch produced more runners and fruit than plants grown on clear or white plastic mulches and that total fruit mass was greater with black and clear plastic mulches than with bare soil. The total soluble solids represent the acid, sugars, soluble salts, proteins and other dissolved substances of the cell sap. The total sugars ranged between 50,73 mg/100 g s.p. and 113,43 mg/100 g s.p., and the soluble solids ranged between 7,19% and 13,11%. A strawberry with very low sugar and acid content taste flat. In the same time strawberry are economically and commercially important and widely consumed fresh or in processed forms, such as jams, juices and jellies. Normal 0 21 false false false RO X-NONE X-NONE

Soil Solarization on Populations of Pythium spp., Fluorescent Pseudomonas, and Damping-off of Broccoli and Cucumber

Soil solarization is the use of solar radiation to disinfest moist soil covered with clear polyethylene mulch during warm months. Beneficial effects of soil solarization are lower pathogen populations, reduced disease, and higher yield. Information on the duration of solarization benefits is necessary to achieve effective and efficient implementation of this management strategy. A 3-year study investigated effects of single- and multiple-year soil solarization on Pythium spp., Pseudomonas spp., and damping-off of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Soil was solarized 10 weeks in 2003 only; 2004 only; 2003 and 2004; 2004 and 2005; 2003, 2004, and 2005; or not solarized. Soil was sampled from 0 to 10 cm deep and population densities of Pythium spp. and Pseudomonas spp. assayed at monthly intervals from the start of solarization until 2 months after solarization. Cucumber and broccoli were planted one month after solarization ended or plots were left fallow. During solarization, soil temperatures increased 2.5 to 4.5°C in solarized soils compared to those in nonsolarized soils. In general, microbial counts in all years were lower throughout the solarization period in solarized soils than in nonsolarized soils. During the 2-month period following solarization, Pythium spp. increased in soils solarized 1 or 2 years but not in soils solarized 3 years. However, postsolarization Pythium spp. densities in soils solarized 3 years were high enough that there were no differences in Pythium spp. densities among solarized soils. No differences in microbial populations were found among solarization treatments applied in the current year irrespective of whether the soil was previously solarized, planted, or fallowed. One year after solarization, there were no differences in population densities between soils solarized or not solarized the previous year. Incidences of damping-off were not different among treatments. Under conditions in the southeastern United States, soil solarization is a disinfestation method that should be applied each season prior to planting, because beneficial effects of reducing microbial populations do not persist in the following years.

SOIL SOLARIZATION ENHANCEMENT WITH HIGH TUNNELS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Soil solarization can be an effective preplant soil treatment under high temperature and irradiance conditions, but its effectiveness is poor in coastal California due to cool, cloudy conditons. Previous reports indicate that use of polyethylene tunnels can enhance soil warming beyond that of standard soil solarization. From August 31 to October 4, 2007, we monitored soil temperatures as a function of three solarization treatments on non-fumigated strawberry beds in coastal southern California: 1) black polyethylene bed mulch (BP); 2) clear polyethylene bed mulch (CP, control); and 3) a high tunnel covered with clear polyethylene that enclosed beds covered with CP (CPT). Maximum soil temperatures (10 cm depth) were 45.4, 53 and 57.9°C for treatments 1-3, respectively. At 10 cm soil depth, accumulated temperature-hours ≥37°C were 82.5, 235, and 520.3 for treatments 1-3, respectively, while at soil depth of 30 cm, accumulated temperature-hours ≥372°C were 0, 51.5 and 525 for treatments 1-3, respectively. The tunnel cover was removed on October 4 and strawberry plants ('Ventana') were established in all plots. Weed populations were determined on November 15, and yield performance determined from December, 2007 until May 5. Results indicate complete weed control with use of CPT, and an abundance of various weed species in CP and BP plots. Yields to May 5 were lowest for BP treatment, intermediate for CP and CPT treatments, and greatest for an adjacent parcel treated with methyl bromide: chloropicrin.

OPTIMIZING STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION AND FRUIT QUALITY WITH USE OF PROTECTED CULTURE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

In southern California, strawberry fruit produced from December to March has the greatest market value, but meteorological conditions during this period are often suboptimal for strawberry growth and fruiting. During a four-year period (2002-2005), we determined yield performance for 'Camarosa' and 'Ventana' cultivars using open field (OF) and protected culture (PC; i.e., Spanish tunnel) production. Tunnels were 3.7 m high, 4.9 m wide (covering three planting beds), and 24 or 36 m in length, and constructed with steel arcs attached to vertical Y-posts. Plastic films were placed over the tunnels at anthesis (late November) and sides were constantly open to a height of 1.2 m. Yield performance of plants grown on black and clear polyethylene bed mulches (PBM) was determined in both production systems, and PAR (photosynthetically active radiation), UV transmissivity and yield performance were compared using two different tunnel films. Compared to OF, the use of PC resulted in consistently greater ambient and soil temperatures, while relative humidity in PC was greater during the day but lower at night with no dew. In both systems, growth and yield were maximized with use of clear PBM due to higher soil temperatures. Early season yield (to March 15) varied by year, and was 1.7- to 1.9-fold greater for PC compared to OF. Total yield (to May 1 or June 1) varied by year and was 1.1- to 1.2-fold greater for PC compared to OF. One tunnel film blocked more UV and PAR than the other, but differences in yield and fruit quality between films were small and inconsistent. Compared to OF, PC resulted in enhanced early-season fruit quality (size, appearance), while late season PC fruit quality was maintained by removing tunnel covers by early March to avoid high temperatures. Results demonstrate that with proper management PC can result in increased yield and fruit quality in California strawberries.

Variety, mulch and stage of inoculation effects on incidence of tomato spotted wilt virus disease in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) vectored by thrips is one of the major diseases affecting cucumber yield. Control of thrips is an underlying factor in its management. A study was conducted to determine the effect of time of inoculation, variety and mulch on disease incidence. Four varieties were inoculated with TSWV at cotyledon, 3 – 4 leaf and flower bud stages in a RCBD experiment replicated four times in a greenhouse. In the field, a 2×8 factorial design where two cucumber varieties were raised on seven types of mulches (red, yellow, silver, clear, black, white, and straw) with unmulched plots as controls was used. Variety Marketer was more tolerant to the disease compared to other varieties. Most varieties were generally tolerant to TSWV at cotyledonous but susceptible at 3 – 4 leaf and flower bud stages. Silver and clear mulches significantly suppressed thrip populations, yield and quality under field conditions.

Potential to double-crop plastic mulch

Double-cropping of plastic (polyethylene) mulches has the potential to increase the cost-effectiveness while reducing the environmental impact of this technology for enhancing growth of vegetable crops. In regions with a short growing season, double-cropping of soil mulches hinges on being able to leave the plastic in the field over winter. This extended exposure to the elements may alter the physical and optical characteristics of the mulch, thereby influencing crop productivity in the second year of use. This study evaluated the physical characteristics and efficacy of black, clear and infrared transmitting (IRT) mulches over two cropping seasons in Saskatchewan. The crops planted were pepper (Capsicum annuum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in the first year and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) in the second year. Early-season soil temperatures appeared highest under the clear mulch in the first year, but once the crop canopy was established there was little difference in soil temperature among plots having different mulches. Higher yields of both cucumber and pepper were produced in the first year by clear mulch than by black mulch or without mulch. All mulches were still physically sound at the end of the first growing season, but light transmission through the clear and IRT mulches was reduced relative to new mulch. Much of this change was due to soil and other debris on the surface of the mulches. There was little further change in the physical condition or light transmission characteristics of the mulches through the second year of use. Weed growth under clear mulch in its second year appeared to reduce soil temperatures, particularly relative to new clear mulch. Mulch type, either newly laid or year-old, had no impact on yields of marketable tomatoes. More fruit reached full red color prior to harvest in response to clear mulch than to no mulch (bare soil). Yields of marketable tomato fruit obtained on year-old mulch of all types were comparable to yields obtained with new mulch. These data suggest that double-cropping of plastic mulches can be done without loss of crop yield and provide significant savings in materials, labor and disposal costs. While clear mulch was generally the most beneficial for the production of warm season vegetable crops, it did not prevent weed growth in the second year which was problematic. Key words: Wavelength selective, light transmission, cucumber, pepper, tomato

Control of bacterial wilt of statice by Soil solarization with clear plastic tunnel and clear mulch in greenhouse

Control of bacterial wilt of statice by Soil solarization with clear plastic tunnel and clear mulch in greenhouse

Nursery location, planting date, chilling exposure, and bed mulch treatment effects on yield performance of ‘Camarosa’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) in Auckland, New Zealand

The effects on crown growth and fruit production in the Californian‐bred short day strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) cultivar ‘Camarosa’, grown in the Auckland region of northern New Zealand, of elements of the Californian winter production system were studied in replicated trials in the 1999–2000, 2000–01, and 2002–03 seasons. The elements were soil‐warming mulch, planting date, and chilling in the nursery. Plants on clear polythene mulch had larger crowns at the end of winter but not at the end of the season, a slightly higher early yield and 1–8% higher total yield than plants on black mulch in the 1999–2000 season. These differences were smaller than those found in California, probably as a result of lower maximum temperatures and moister soils in winter in the Auckland region. Yield and crown growth differences between planting dates varied inconsistently in each season, a situation attributed to the later onset of chilling temperatures in nurseries in the Auckland region. Yield of fruit per week differed as each of the three seasons progressed and large peaks in yield were related to periods of high minimum temperatures. Crown growth was rapid in winter and early spring and rates and amounts of growth during the fruiting season were related to patterns of fruit production and total yields. No pre‐harvest crown measurements were found to relate to whole season yield. Yield was lower in plants from the warm low altitude Katikati nursery than from the cool high altitude Ohakune nursery. Yield totals in each season and yield differences between nurseries in each season could be related to both the amount of nursery chilling and the amount and timing of fruiting bed chilling.

Plastic Mulches and Low Tunnels to Reduce Bolting and Increase Marketable Yield of Early Celery

Abstract Canadian celery (Apium graveolens L. var. duke) growers are transplanting crops earlier to lengthen the growing season. This increases the risks of vernalization (exposure to temperatures <14°C), which induces bolting and makes the plants unmarketable. Combinations of mulches and low tunnels were tested in 1999 and 2000 to determine whether they could increase air and/or soil temperatures to inhibit bolting. Mulches increased maximum soil temperatures by up to 10°C compared with the control. Low tunnels, particularly polyethylene tunnels combined with clear mulch, increased both air and soil temperatures. In 1999, few if any plants bolted. In 2000, covering celery with tunnels significantly reduced bolting. Covering celery with a single layer of spunbonded polyester produced the most consistent benefits in terms of reducing bolting and increasing marketable yield.

Mulch type affects growth and tuber production of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)

Abstract Polyethylene mulch is an effective component of weed management in vegetable production. However, nutsedges are persistent and proliferate in these systems. Greenhouse studies evaluated the growth and tuber production of purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge grown in pots covered with black-opaque polyethylene mulch, clear-colorless polyethylene mulch, or nonmulched. Single, presprouted nutsedge tubers were planted and growth evaluated over 16 wk. Relative to the nonmulched, yellow nutsedge shoot production was reduced 46 and 72% by black and clear mulch, respectively. The number of yellow nutsedge shoots that pierced and emerged through black and clear mulches was reduced 96% relative to emerged shoots in the nonmulched control. Yellow nutsedge in the nonmulched produced 366 tubers per initial tuber, whereas tuber production was reduced 49 to 51% in black and clear mulch. Growth of purple nutsedge shoots and tubers in black polyethylene mulch was similar to the nonmulched. Clear polyethylene reduc...

Weed and Crop Response to Colored Plastic Mulches in Strawberry Production

The phase out of methyl bromide has forced strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duchesne) growers to consider the use of cultural methods such as colored mulches to enhance weed control. Black plastic mulch controls most weeds; however, black mulch often does not warm the soil as well as clear mulch. Soil warming with clear mulch is desirable for early season markets, but clear mulch does not control weeds. Neither black nor clear mulches combine the ideal weed control and soil warming characteristics required. Seven colored mulches, as well as clear, black and no mulch were evaluated in California organic and conventional strawberries to identify mulch factors associated with weed control and soil warming. Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were also conducted to isolate the effects of light transmittance through mulch on weed germination and growth. The effect of mulch color on transmittance of photosynthetically active light (400 to 700 nm) through mulches was the key weed control factor, and was more important than the effect of mulch color effect on weed germination. Satisfactory weed control was provided by all mulches except clear, blue and red-brown laminated. Clear and black mulches provided the greatest soil warming in sunny and cloudy climatic conditions, respectively, although plants in clear mulched conventional production system plots produced the highest yield of marketable berries. Green and brown plastic mulches provided the best combinations of soil warming and weed control benefits at all trial locations.

Establishment and Persistence of Field Sown North American Prairie Grasses in Southern England in Response to Mulching and Extensive Weed Management

Abstract Establishment and management of North American prairie grasses by field sowing was investigated at the Royal Horticultural Society Garden at Wisley, Surrey, in Southern England. Untreated seed of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash); indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash); and prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis (A.Gray) A.Gray.) was sown in May 1997 at 550 seeds/m2 onto topsoil plots (control), topsoil with charcoal mulch, and topsoil covered with transparent, perforated crop polyethylene post sowing. Highest percentage emergence was recorded in the clear polyethylene mulch followed by the charcoal mulch. Weed competition was managed by cutting to 75 mm (≅ 3 in) above the soil surface. Dry weight of prairie grass seedlings in October 1997 was strongly negatively correlated with percentage weed cover in June 1997. Despite the weed competition, on plots where sufficient seedlings survived, Schizachyrium and Sorghastrum were eventually able to dominate Agrostis stolonifera, the most abundant weed, when burnt annually in April. No regeneration of prairie grasses from self-sown seed was observed within the experimental treatments over an 8 year period. The application of this research to more sustainable horticultural practice in urban landscapes is discussed.